Device for displaying objects such as photos and sheets on laptop and video monitor surfaces

ABSTRACT

A display device and method for displaying objects in association with a front or rear face of a screen display or screen display frame of a computer or video monitor or laptop or other framed structure is in one embodiment a flexible, lengthwise deformable band with at least two, usually four, spaced-apart corner-engaging loops. In a second embodiment, the device has at least first, second and third flexible lengthwise deformable bands that each wrap around a screen display or screen display frame. The at least three bands optionally are joined together at portions that overlap one another, or an integral band assembly is formed that has corner-engaging loops between points of overlap or cross-over of said bands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device and method to attach objects, such as photos and paper sheets, to a frame or other surface of a video monitor, laptop or other display screen, or framed article, such as a mirror. The device removably holds such objects against a surface without damage to the surface or the objects.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Note and memo boards are known for home and office use. Most of these boards are permanently affixed to a wall surface or comprise a discrete surface of office furniture or an office cubicle. A user may tack or tape notes or photographs or paper sheets to the board for display. Either attachment method mars or damages the photographs or paper sheets. Moreover, such boards generally are not proximate a video display or screen of a computer.

Some note boards have been adapted to fit on or around computer monitors or video displays. U.S. published patent application No. 2004/0227048 A1, for example, shows a monitor frame adhesively attached with hook and loop fasteners to an outer surface of a computer monitor. The frame includes recessed pockets for receiving photographs. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,282 discloses a device for holding photographs against the front outer surface of a video monitor. The device has side and bottom edges that are securely attached with hook and loop fasteners to a surface of the monitor. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,412,744; 5,620,162; 6,286,800; and 5,533,702. Each of these devices requires separate fasteners or hinge means to hold a display device to the monitor. Such fasteners or hinges can be difficult to remove and may leave permanent markings that mar the video monitor surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,792 proposes a flexible, lengthwise deformable band that may be extended around the perimeter of an appliance, such as a microwave oven. A central slot or channel is cut lengthwise into the band. Photographs or other sheets are inserted into the channel. The band may be a continuous stretchable band or may be a length of material having ends adjustably attachable to one another, such as with hook and loop fasteners. The objects, photographs or sheets are held in place in the channel because the band material creates frictional contact with the objects and with the perimeter of the appliance. Without the channel, the objects, photographs or sheets would not be held to be visible to a user from the front of the appliance. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,603.

Other bands that extend around the perimeter of an appliance or display screen are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. D469,100 S and 5,664,673. The storage device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,673 is a belt that is stretched around the top, sides and bottom of a computer monitor. The outfacing surface of such belt may comprise the loop portion material of a hook and loop fastener. Pockets are releasably mounted to the belt material to hold objects. To facilitate positioning an object viewable from the front of the monitor, a front plate that has a pocket must be installed.

Heretofore, all of the band-type mounting and display systems have wrapped around the perimeter of a monitor or appliance, and require separate attachment mechanisms to hold photographs, objects or paper sheets for display from the front of the monitor.

More and more computer users now opt for flat screen computer monitors, which do not have suitable perimeter structure to receive the prior art bands. Alternatively, computer users have laptop computers that have screens integral in the top cover of the laptop casing. Such laptops cannot accommodate the prior art band devices.

The industry continues to seek a display device that is easy to install and easy to remove, and that does not mar or damage objects to be displayed or the computer display screen with which it is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the invention, a device for removably mounting objects to a front face of a display screen or frame has a flexible, lengthwise deformable band or band assembly, said band or band assembly has at least two spaced-apart, corner-engaging loops to engage corners of the display screen to removably mount said band to said display screen. Preferably, the band or band assembly has at least three, and more preferably, at least four spaced-apart, corner-engaging loops. The band may be formed from a continuous strand of resilient material, with the corner-engaging loops formed by turning or twisting the strand. Such crossed portions of the strand then may be joined together. Alternatively, the band may have separate corner engaging loops attached at spaced apart locations onto the band.

In one especially preferred embodiment, a band assembly has at least three, and preferably four, loop portions that encircle the top, sides and preferably also the bottom of a display screen or frame. The loop portions are joined together at points of contact or overlap, or the band assembly as configured is integrally formed. At the junctions or overlaps, corner-engaging loops are formed. The band assembly may be installed over at least the top and side display screen or frame surfaces, and the band material of such band assembly frictionally contacts portions of both the front and rear surfaces of such display screen or frame.

The band or each band of the band assembly may have the same or different cross-sectional shape. Examples of possible cross-sectional shapes are circular, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and irregular. One or more bands of the band assembly further may have a wider width than the width of the other bands.

The band or band assembly preferably is formed from a resilient material that may be stretched for installation and for introducing an object for display, but sufficiently recovers from stretch so as to hold the object in frictional engagement to a surface, such as a front or rear surface of a display screen or frame. Suitable resilient materials include rubber, latex, plastosil, thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride softened with plasticizer, urethane or polyurethane softened with plasticizer, and any of these materials covered with fibers or textile.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for removably attaching at least one object to a front or rear surface of a screen display or frame. In this method, a flexible, lengthwise deformable band is installed onto a screen display or frame by extending a first corner-engaging loop formed in or attached to said band over a first corner of said screen display or frame and by extending a second corner-engaging loop formed in or attached to said band over a second corner of said screen display or frame. Optionally, third and fourth corner-engaging loops are extended over other corners of the screen display or frame. The band is deformed to create a space between a portion of said band and a portion of said front or rear face of said screen display or frame. An object is inserted into said space, and the band is released so as to frictionally engage the object and hold the object against the portion of the face of the screen display or frame. The steps may be repeated to insert a second object for display. The object(s) may be removed by deforming the band to re-create a space between the portion of said band and the portion of said face of said screen display or frame contacting said object(s). Objects that may be held by the device according to the invention include, but are not limited to, sheets, photographs, note cards, papers and writing implements.

In an alternative method for removably attaching at least one object to a front or rear surface of a screen display or frame, a first flexible, lengthwise deformable band is installed onto a screen display or frame by extending said first band around a front top portion of said screen display or frame. A second flexible, lengthwise deformable band is installed onto a screen display or frame by extending said second band around a front side portion of said screen display or frame. A third flexible, lengthwise deformable band is installed onto a screen display or frame by extending said third band around another front side portion of said screen display or frame. At least one of said first, second or third bands is deformed to create a space between a portion of said band and a portion of said screen display or frame, and an object is inserted into that space. The at least one first, second or third band is then released to frictionally engage said object against the surface portion of said screen display or frame. Multiple objects may be installed for display by repeating the step of deforming a band or band portion to create a space to hold an object and releasing such band to frictionally engage the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a flat screen display unit onto which is mounted a first embodiment of a device for displaying objects, such as photographs and paper sheets, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the flat screen display unit and the first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a flat screen display unit and computer hard drive, wherein a second embodiment of a device for displaying objects according to the invention is mounted to said flat screen display unit;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a laptop computer onto which a third embodiment of a device for displaying objects according to the invention is mounted;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 prior to mounting such device to a computer display screen unit;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a flat screen display unit onto which is mounted a fourth embodiment of a device for displaying objects, such as photographs and paper sheets, according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the flat screen display unit and the fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment 10 of the device according to the invention is shown. A screen display 12 surrounded by a screen display frame 14 is supported by a pedestal 18 on a stand 16. The screen display 12 as illustrated is of a type often referred to as a flat screen or flat screen monitor.

A flexible, lengthwise deformable band 20 according to a first embodiment of the invention is mounted over the screen display frame 14 such that portions of the band 20 are in contact with the front face or front surfaces of the screen display frame 14. The band 20 has loops 22, 24, 26 and 28 formed in spaced-apart locations of the band 20. The band 20 is shown separated from a screen display or screen display frame in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loops 22, 24, 26 and 28 of band 20 are mounted for engagement over the corners of the screen display frame 14. Each loop 22, 24, 26 and 28 engages an individual corner to hold the band 20 in frictional engagement to the front face or front surface of the screen display frame 14. If loops 22, 24, 26 and 28 are formed larger, it is also possible, although not optimum and not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for portions of band 20 to frictionally contact or engage a front face or surface of the screen display 12.

The band 20 may have two or more loops 22, 24, 26 and 28 formed by twisting and pre-joining portions of contact in a continuous flexible band. Alternatively, band 20 may be a continuous loop of material, and loops 22, 24, 26 and 28 may be formed by twisting band 20 upon installing band 20 for frictional engagement to the screen display or screen display frame 14. As yet another alternative (not illustrated in the Figures), separate smaller loops of preferably stretchy or resilient material may be attached to the band 20 at spaced-apart locations along the length of band 20.

Band 20 is a flexible, lengthwise deformable band. Such band may be formed from a stretchy or resilient material, such as rubber, latex, plastosil, thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride softened with plasticizer, urethane or polyurethane softeners with plasticizer. Alternatively, any of these materials may form the stretchy or resilient core of a stretch composite yarn or strand, such as a stretch composite covered by textile or natural or synthetic fibers. A material that has surface tackiness to removably “stick” to surfaces of the screen display or screen display frame and to surfaces of objects is one preferred embodiment.

Band 20 has a length, thickness and width. The width of one portion of the band 20 may be greater than the width of other portions. In cross-section band 20 may have a generally circular, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or irregular shape. A preferred band cross-section is a shape that has at least one generally flat surface for contact with a face or front surface of a screen display or screen display frame.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a second or alternate embodiment 30 of the invention comprises a series of bands 36, 38, 40 and 42 for mounting to a screen display 32 or screen display frame 34. The screen display 32 stands over a computer hard drive 44.

As shown in FIG. 3, first band 42 is mounted around screen display frame 34 at one vertical side. Second band 40 is mounted around screen display frame 34 at a second vertical side. Third band 38 is mounted around screen display frame 34 and over portions of bands 40 and 42. Fourth band 36 is mounted around screen display frame 34 and contacts portions of bands 40 and 42. Fourth band 36 has a width greater than the widths of bands 38, 40 and 42. A logo or design 54 may be preprinted on or pre-affixed to one of the bands. In FIG. 3, a logo or design 54 is displayed on a front surface of band 36.

Various objects may be held by frictional engagement between one or more of bands 36, 38, 40 and 42 and a face or front surface of screen display 32 or screen display frame 34. Shown in phantom outline in FIG. 3 are photographs 46, a paper sheet 48, a business card 50 and a note or post-it note 52. Various other objects that may be removably held by bands 36, 38, 40, or 42 to a front surface of a screen display 32 or screen display frame 34 include writing implements, fasteners, note cards, etc. Ideally, bands 36, 38, 40 or 42 have a tacky surface that removably “sticks” to the objects and to a face surface of the screen display 32 or screen display frame 34, where the amount of tackiness is not so great as to mar, stain or damage the objects or the screen display or screen display frame.

The series of bands 36, 38, 40 and 42 optionally may be pre-joined together at predetermined or anticipated overlap points so as to facilitate installing such bands over a screen display frame 34. Optionally, the series of bands may be formed as a unitary band assembly (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the accompanying text).

Bands 36, 38, 40 and 42 may be formed of the same or different materials. Optional material selection for such bands is set out with respect to band 20 for the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

Referring next to FIG. 4, another embodiment 60 of the invention is shown for use with a laptop computer. In FIG. 4, a laptop keyboard 62 and screen display 64 are shown. Screen display 64 has a surrounding screen display frame 66. Such screen display 64 and screen display frame 64 are within the cover portion of the laptop computer. A hinge portion (not shown) joins the cover portion to the laptop keyboard 62.

Bands 68, 70 and 72 wrap around portions of the screen display frame 66. As shown in FIG. 4, band 68 wraps about a top frame portion, whereas bands 70 and 72 each wrap about different side portions. As installed, bands 68, 70 and 72 permit objects to be held for display between a front face surface of screen display 64 or screen display frame 66 and said bands. As installed, in the embodiment shown, bands 68, 70 and 72 do not interfere with opening or closing of the laptop cover.

Referring next to FIGS. 6 and 7, a fourth embodiment 80 of the invention is illustrated. A screen display 82 surrounded by a screen display frame 83 is supported by a pedestal 88 on a stand 86. The front of the screen display is shown in FIG. 6, and the rear 84 of the screen display is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, a deformable band assembly 90 engages the front surface of screen display frame 83 and rear surface 85 of screen display frame. The deformable band assembly 90 has top 92, bottom 94, left side 96 and right side 98 frame engaging major loop portions, each of which contacts the front surface and rear surface of the screen display frame when mounted. Corner engaging loops 102, 104, 106, and 108 are formed in the band material generally at the locations of overlap in the major loop portions. In this fourth embodiment 80, objects may be held by frictional engagement between one or more of the major loop portions 90, 92, 94 and 96 and either the front face or front surface of screen display 82 or screen display frame 83 or the rear face or rear surface of the screen display 84 or screen display frame 85. This fourth embodiment 80 having band material in contact with both the front and rear surfaces of the screen display or screen display frame has increased retractive gripping force as compared to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The deformable band assembly 90 may be formed of the same or different materials, and if of one material may be integrally formed or molded. Preferably, the deformable band assembly 90 is an integral structure as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but optionally may be formed from a series of four separate band portions joined together at points of overlap. Optional material selection for such band assembly 90 is set out with respect to band 20 for the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

The bands and band assemblies of the invention have been illustrated herein in connection with displaying objects in contact with a display screen frame or display screen surface of a laptop or computer monitor. It is to be understood that the bands and band assemblies of the invention also may be used to facilitate displaying objects in association with other household and workplace structures, such as, for example, frames, mirrors, and handheld portable devices like music players.

The invention has been illustrated by detailed description and examples of particular embodiments. Various changes in form and detail may be made to the illustrative embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the invention should be measured by the claims and not limited by the description of the examples or the particular embodiments. 

1. A device for removably mounting objects to a front face of a display screen or frame, comprising: a flexible, lengthwise deformable band or band assembly, said band or band assembly having at least two spaced-apart, corner-engaging loops to engage corners of the display screen to removably mount said band to said display screen.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said band or band assembly has at least three spaced-apart, corner-engaging loops.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said band or band assembly has at least four spaced-apart, corner-engaging loops.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the band is formed from a continuous strand of resilient material formed into a band.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the corner-engaging loops is formed by crossing at least one portion of the strand and joining the crossed portions together.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the band or band assembly comprises at least one section having a width wider than other section(s) of said band.
 7. The device of claim 1, where the band or each band of the band assembly has a cross-section selected from the group consisting of circular, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and irregular.
 8. The device of claim 1, where the band or band assembly is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, plastosil, thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride softened with plasticizer, urethane or polyurethane softened with plasticizer, and any of these materials covered with fibers or textile.
 9. A device for removably mounting objects to a front face of a display screen or frame, comprising: a first flexible, lengthwise deformable band; a second flexible, lengthwise deformable band; a third flexible, lengthwise deformable band; wherein said first band wraps around a first frame portion of a screen display, said second band wraps around a second frame portion of a screen display, and said third band wraps around a third frame portion of a screen display.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first, second or third bands has a wider width that is wider than a width of the other bands.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the second band is joined at at least one portion to a portion of the first band.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the third band is joined at at least one portion to a portion of the first band.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the first band is formed of a continuous strand of resilient material formed into a band.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein the first, second and third bands are formed as a band assembly having an integral structure.
 15. The device of claim 9, further comprising a fourth flexible, lengthwise deformable band.
 16. The device of claim 9, wherein the first, second, third and fourth bands are formed as a band assembly having an integral structure.
 17. The device of claim 9, wherein each of the bands has a cross-section selected from the group consisting of circular, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and irregular.
 18. The device of claim 9, wherein the bands are each formed from a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, latex, plastosil, thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride softened with plasticizer, urethane or polyurethane softened with plasticizer and any of these materials covered with fiber or textile.
 19. A method for removably attaching at least one object to a front or rear surface of a screen display or frame, comprising: installing a flexible, lengthwise deformable band onto a screen display or frame by extending a first loop formed in or attached to said band over a first corner of said screen display or frame and by extending a second loop formed in or attached to said band over a second corner of said screen display or frame; deforming said band to create a space between a portion of said band and a portion of said front or rear face of said screen display or frame; inserting an object in said space; and releasing said band to frictionally engage said object so as to hold the object against the portion of the face of said screen display or frame.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: extending a third loop formed in or attached to said band over a third corner of said screen display or frame.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: extending a fourth loop formed in or attached to said band over a fourth corner of said screen display or frame.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising: deforming said band to re-create a space between the portion of said band and the portion of said face of said screen display or frame contacting said object so as to remove said object.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of sheet, photograph, note card, paper and writing implement.
 24. The method of claim 19, further comprising: deforming said band to create a second space between a second portion of said band and a second portion of said screen display or frame; inserting a second object in said second space; and releasing said band to frictionally engage said object so as to hold the second object against the second portion of said screen display or frame.
 25. A method for removably attaching at least one object to a front or rear surface of a screen display or frame, comprising: installing a first flexible, lengthwise deformable band onto a screen display or frame by extending said first band around a front top portion of said screen display or frame; installing a second flexible, lengthwise deformable band onto a screen display or frame by extending said second band around a front side portion of said screen display or frame; installing a third flexible, lengthwise deformable band onto a screen display or frame by extending said third band around another front side portion of said screen display or frame; deforming at least one of said first, second or third bands to create a space between a portion of said band and a portion of said screen display or frame; inserting an object in said space; and releasing said at least one first, second or third band to frictionally engage said object against the surface portion of said screen display or frame.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: deforming at least said first, second or third band to create a second space between the at least one band and a second portion of the front or rear surface of the screen display or frame; inserting a second object in said second space; and releasing said band to frictionally engage said second object so as to hold the second object against the second portion of the surface of the screen display or frame.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of: sheet, photograph, note card, business card, paper and writing implement.
 28. The method of claim 25, further comprising: deforming at least one of said first, second or third bands to re-create a space between the portion of said band and the portion of said surface of said screen display or frame contacting said object so as to remove said object. 